Collapsible stand

ABSTRACT

An improved self-supporting collapsible stand is provided for plastic trash bags, laundry bags, or the like. The stand of the invention is formed of a pair of essentially rectangular wireformed loops which extend transversely to one another in a pivotal X-like relationship. The sides of one of the wire loops have respective intermediate S-shaped portions therein, and the sides of the other loop having respective U-shaped portions therein and intersecting the aforesaid S-shaped portions of the first wire loop to form a stop for the loops and limit the angular movement therebetween.

O United States Patent [151 3,659,816 Wilson May 2, 1972 54] COLLAPSIBLE STAND 1,491,801 4/1924 l-lolbrook ..248/I75 x mentor: James D. Wilson, g Beach Calif. 3,161,391 12/1964 Bahnsen ..248/99 [73] Assignee: Banner Metals, Inc., Compton, Calif. Primary ExaminerChancell0r E. Harris Filed: Oct 30, 1970 Attorney-Jessup & Beecher [21] Appl, No.: 85,359 57 ABSTRACT An improved self-supporting collapsible stand is provided for U-S- trash bags laundry bags or the like The tand of the f Cl 67/12 invention is formed of a pair of essentially rectangular wire- [58] Field of Search ..218/99, 97, 164, 153, 150, formed loops which extend transversely to one another 3 218/175; 21 N18] pivotal X-like relationship. The sides of one of the wire loops have respective intermediate S-shaped portions therein, and [56] References and the sides of the other loop having respective U-shaped por- UNITED STATES PATENTS tions therein and intersecting the aforesaid S-shaped portions of the first wire loop to form a stop for the loops and limit the 2,120,51 1 6/1938 Rlsdon ..21 1/181 angular movement therebetweem 2,881,039 4/1959 Guzman ..l08/134 X 3,502,291 3/1970 Ackerman ..248/97 1 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The improved stand of the invention finds particular utility, for example, in the support of plastic trash bags in an open condition, so that the bags may constitute appropriate receptacles for receiving and accumulating trash. As each bag is filled, it may be removed from the stand, and closed. The filled bags may then be put out periodically for the trash collector.

Of course, the stand of the invention is not limited to such a purpose, since it may be used in conjunction with any type of bag, such as a laundry bag, which is to be held open as a receptacle to accumulate articles, and which is subsequently to be removed from the stand after it is filled.

A feature of the present invention is the provision of such a stand which is light and durable, and which may be manufactured inexpensively and sold at a low price.

The stand of the invention, as mentioned above, is self-supported, this being achieved by fonning angular limiting stops on its sides. The stops are formed in a simple and unique manner without the need for additional welded parts, and merely by shaping the wire-formed stand components. The shaping results in the provision of intermediate S-shaped regions on the respective sides of one of the wire-formed stand components, and in the provision of intermediate U-shaped regions on the respective sides of the other of the wire-formed stand components in intersecting relationship with the aforesaid S-shaped regions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective representation of a stand constructed in accordance with the concepts of the invention;

FIG. 2 is an end view ofthe stand ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the stand; and

FIG. 4 is a representation of a bag which may be suitably supported by the stand, and subsequently removed and closed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENT The improved collapsible stand constituting the illustrated embodiment of the invention comprises, for example, a first generally rectangular wire-formed component 10, and a second generally rectangular wire-formed component 12. The two wire-formed components, as shown, are supported in an intersecting X-like relationship for pivotal movement with respect to one another. The aforesaid pivotal movement is provided by a pair of knuckle joints l4 intercoupling the components l0 and 12, and which are formed in accordance with the teachings of the invention merely by appropriately shaping the sides of the wire-formed components.

To form each of the knuckle joints 14, for example, an intermediate portion of each side of the wire-formed components 10 is configured to have an S-shape. In addition, an

intermediate portion of each side of the other wire-formed component 12 is configured to have a U-shape. The U-shaped region of each side of the component 12 intersects the S- shaped region of the corresponding side of the component 10.

The interaction between the U-shaped regions and S-shaped regions of the sides of the components 10 and 12 is such that the components are self-supporting to constitute the stand illustrated, for example, in FIGS. 1-3. Any appropriate plastic or other type of bag or receptacle 20 may be suspended from the top of the stand. The bag 20, after it has been filled with trash, or other articles, may be removed from the stand, as shown in FIG. 4 for subsequent collection by the trash collector.

An advantage of the improved stand of the invention, and of the improved knuckle joint on which its operation is predicated, resides in the fact that the stand may be constructed to be light and easy to handle. Yet, it is durable and is not subject to breakage even with normal rough usage. Moreover, the stand may be constructed simply and economically, since the knuckle joint is formed merely by appropriately confi uring the sides of the wire loops.

It W1 be appreciated, of course, that although a particular embodiment of the invention has been shown and described, modifications may be made. It is intended in the following claims to cover the modifications which come within the spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

l, A collapsible stand for supporting a flexible bag, or the like, including: a first wire-formed component of generally rectangular configuration; a second wire-formed component having a generally rectangular configuration intersecting said first component; said first and second wire-formed components each having a pair of side members, a first pair of said side members each shaped to have an intermediate generally S-shaped region; and a second pair of said side members each shaped to have intermediate generally U-shaped region, the U-shaped regions of said second pair of side members respectively intersecting the S-shaped regions of said first pair to constitute stops therewith so as to limit the relative angular movement of said first and second wire-formed components. 

1. A collapsible stand for supporting a flexible bag, or the like, including: a first wire-formed component of generally rectangular configuration; a second wire-formed component having a generally rectangular configuration intersecting said first component; said first and second wire-formed components each having a pair of side members, a first pair of said side members each shaped to have an intermediate generally S-shaped region; and a second pair of said side members each shaped to have intermediate generally U-shaped region, the U-shaped regions of said second pair of side members respectively intersecting the Sshaped regions of said first pair to constitute stops therewith so as to limit the relative angular movement of said first and second wire-formed components. 